The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 will slim down its forces to 58,547 as they streamline their operations in the deep South.
Police and military personnel attached to the agency will be cut by 3,057, Isoc spokesman Pirawat Saengthong said yesterday. With fewer numbers, Isoc would be able to perform its duties more efficiently, which will help boost confidence in the authorities among southern villagers. The decision was made during Isoc's meeting yesterday chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, also defence minister.
The meeting was also attended by army chief Gen Chalermchai Sitthisad, also deputy chief of Isoc; Gen Natthapol Nakpanit, the army chief-of-staff and Isoc secretary-general; and ACM Wallop Raksanoh, secretary-general of the National Security Council.
Col Pirawat said an Isoc committee also agreed to establish an Isoc Office of the Inspector-General which will assess the performance of personnel and projects under the agency.
The office also will help probe public complaints in response to orders from headquarters. The committee also approved an action plan for Songkhla and one for Pattani's Mae Lan district in compliance with laws to cope with unrest in the deep South.
The plans were finalised after four districts --Thepha, Na Thawi, Chana and Saba Yoi-- of Songkhla, and Mae Lan district in Pattani, were earlier declared unrest zones for the period Dec 1 to Nov 30 next year under a cabinet resolution dated Nov 28. That designation requires a security boost.
